The waiting game

[Lynd]

Nine and a half hours ago I rang to report my Husband's catheter is leaking.

A nurse will come they said.

Just had a call to say it will probably be late tonight.

I don't expect instant treatment but this is ridiculous.

Annoyed.

[sassy59]

Hi Lynd, you have every right to be annoyed. That’s terrible. I hope a nurse arrives soon and your husband is more comfortable again.

Sending good wishes to you both. Xxxx

[Lynd in reply to sassy59]

Thanks Sassy. I know there are people with bigger problems but this is beyond a joke.

As carers we take so much work away from the NHS but we don't get the support.

My Husband has been so fed up and me with him.

Take care x

[sassy59 in reply to Lynd]

You’re so right Lynd, I get where you’re coming from.

You take care too. Xxxx

[Jennymary]

Hi Lynd, I'm, writing this at 10.14pm and I hope the nurse has visited or at least let you know roughly when they'll get to you, x

[Lynd in reply to Jennymary]

Hi Jennymary

Had a call to say it will be about 11.

They said that have had to deal with a lot of end of life calls.

From 10am this morning???

Think they know this will effectively gag me from complaining!!!

[FOXLEW]

Hope your Dad is sorted out soon

My Dad has a catheter but through a massive bi ingual hernia, the district nurse refuses to come

Any problem with his they send us to A and E then A and E send us to Ambulatory care they send us to a ward and many hours later we see a doctor who says it’s not life and death and wants to send him home soaking wet until the morning

Bearing in mind he is 95 years old deaf and blind and not very mobile the hernia is dragging him down to the floor

We had to say we were going to leave him there and he could do whatever he had to do as we were not taking him home

Finally they did admit him and sorted him out the next day

This has happened three times so far

The elderly have no care in the community whatsoever I fear for us when we get older and I’m 64 so not a spring chicken

[Lynd in reply to FOXLEW]

Hi Foxlew

It is my Husband affected.

I am sorry you have had such awful problems. I know how upsetting it is x

[FOXLEW in reply to Lynd]

I hope your husband has been seen and sorted now bless you

[Lynd in reply to FOXLEW]

All OK now thanks.

Bless you too x

[FOXLEW in reply to Lynd]

That’s good

[Hidden in reply to FOXLEW]

What a dreadful state of affairs FOXLEW and such an indignity for your dad, after managing to achieve such a long life. If busy services can’t take time to help carers then surely they should give credence to your dad’s needs, not only physically, but mentally and socially too in this final phase of his life. It’s really so bad, but also good to air this, to help get the message out there that this simply cannot be allowed to continue as it is. It’s a long and hard struggle to make the voice heard but I think the message is beginning to resonate gradually that change is essential.

[FOXLEW in reply to Hidden]

It’s sorely needed for the powers that be to sort out social and medical not only for the elderly person but also for the carers.

Our parents and ourselves are living longer and longer

So it definitely needs to be sorted

Thank you Callendersgal

[Hidden]

Hi Lyne,

How absolutely awful for you and I’m not surprised you are annoyed and frustrated. Your thoughts were the same as mine. Home carers do so much and then can’t get the basic aid they need when problems crop up.

I do hope that by now you’ve at long last had that visit.

What a rotten day for you both!

I hope today will be better. X

[Lynd in reply to Hidden]

Hi Callendersgal

Yes, they arrived at 11pm.

It was the community intervention Nurses that came. They have come to our rescue before.

I don't think the District Nurses have any intention of coming. Apparently the District Nurses tried to phone me but no answer. This is untrue as my phone shows any missed calls and there were none.

So in future..... Any more leaks I will wait till the night shift CIN nurses come on duty and just phone them.

[Hidden in reply to Lynd]

It seems it pays to be a bit wily Lynd and I think you’ve probably cracked it! It’s not how it should be, but at least it’s a solution that part-way works for you and is better than receiving no help at all.

I don’t know what your husband’s particular needs are with regard to catheterisation but I just wondered whether you’d thought of getting help to learn how to insert a catheter yourself. I have a friend whose husband is catheterised and she had help from her district nurses with recatheterisation. It works well for them but I do understand that no two cases are the same.

Which means you may always have this battle of wits to get the help you need within a reasonable length of time. It’s definitely a real frustration that just shouldn’t be! X

[Lynd in reply to Hidden]

It's a thought but not sure if I could do it. I would be frightened of hurting him.

Oh well off to Morrisons now.

Something that should have been done yesterday.

Might have Sunday lunch there.

We know how to live the high life 😁

[secrets22 in reply to Lynd]

Morrisons is wonderful,i often eat at their branch in Weston Super Mare.

[Lynd in reply to secrets22]

Yes it is a good supermarket.

I heard about one branch closing down about twenty miles away. The locals were badly affected by its closure.

[Hidden]

Haha Lynd, What a social whirl! Nothing wrong with a trip to Morrisons if it will help to lift your spirits after such a terrible day. Enjoy your lunch there if you decide to go for it! x

[Jennymary]

After such a tough night I hope you both enjoyed a nice lunch no prep, cooking or washing up, heavenly xxxxx

[Lynd]

We had a nice Sunday lunch and refilled the cupboards.

Peace in the house again till the next catheter mishap.

[Hidden]

Glad to hear lunch was good Lynd and even gladder to hear you are now feeling better too. Let's hope it'll be a while before you have to endure another episode as frustrating as this was. All the best. x

[secrets22]

This is terrible and totally unacceptable.

[Lynd in reply to secrets22]

Hi Secrets

Good to hear from you.

You know how hard it is to get support.

Hope you are ok x

[secrets22]

Yes I know exactly how hard it is to get any help at all.

I am really struggling to be honest,but it will improve over time.x

[Lynd in reply to secrets22]

It must be really strange for you at the moment dealing with your loss.

I hope you are managing to get out although hard in this weather.

Spring soon and your garden will be calling.